Image input device

ABSTRACT

An image input apparatus which reconfigures a single reconfigured image from a plurality of low-resolution, object reduced images formed in a specified region on the light detecting element by the micro-lens array, wherein a high-resolution, single reconfigured image can be obtained even if the distance between the subject and the micro-lens array is long (infinitely long, for example), and further a reconfigured image can be realized in colors. The image input apparatus is characterized in that the relative distance between a micro-lens ( 1   a ) and light detecting cells ( 3   a ) in a specified region, where object reduced images corresponding to the micro-lens ( 1   a ) are formed, is different in each micro-lenses ( 1   a ). In addition, the light detecting cells ( 3   a ) are divided into a plurality of regions, and color filters (primary color filter, or complementary color filter, for example) are disposed in each of the divided regions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image input apparatus which canreconfigure a single, high-resolution object image from a plurality oflow-resolution, object reduced images obtained by a plurality ofmicro-lens, wherein a high-resolution image of the object image can beobtained even if the imaging distance is long (infinitely long, forexample), and the object image can be realized in colors.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the arrival of the information society accompanying with thedevelopment of the media for communication, image input devices such asdigital cameras and video cameras for obtaining the image by a singleoptical system facing the subject, have already been in use as the imagereader which allows effectively obtaining various kinds of high-qualityimage information.

However, in these days, the image reader imitating the compound-eyefound in insects has being developed to meet the requirements of thefurther downsizing and thinning of the image input apparatus. (e.g.Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-61109)

The above-mentioned image input apparatus is schematically comprising amicro-lens array having a plurality of micro-lens and planate lightdetecting elements facing the micro-lens array, wherein a plurality oflow-resolution reduced images are focused in the prescribed region onthe said light detecting element by the said micro-lens array, and asingle object image is reconfigured by signal processing of said reducedobject image.

According to the aforesaid mechanism, the image input apparatus, inspite of being small and thin compared with the apparatus comprising asingle optical system, realizes bright optical system and even makesobtained (reconfigured) object image (hereinafter referred to as“reconfigured image”) as highly fine.

The image input apparatus comprising the said compound-eye mechanism ischaracterized by imaging the subject from different viewpoints by havingparallax between the said micro-lenses. The above-mentioned character(parallax between the micro-lenses) enables object reduced images, whichare focused on the prescribed position on the said light detectingelement, to form the different images on each micro-lens (images whichinclude different image information), and as a result, a singlereconfigured image obtained by rearranging the said object reducedimages can be obtained as a highly fine image (contains more imageinformation).

However, in the conventional image input apparatus, when the distancefrom the subject is long (infinitely long, for example), the parallaxbetween micro-lenses, which is characterized to the said image inputapparatus, disappears, and therefore, the difference between objectreduced images also disappears (becomes the same). This creates theproblem of remarkable decrease of image resolution compared to the casewhen taking an image of close subject (when there is a parallax betweensaid micro-lenses).

Moreover, the image information obtained by image input apparatus, ispreferably recreated by the real colors (colorizing) of the subject.Consequently, as the technology of colorizing the reconfigured imageobtained by the image input apparatus comprising the above-mentionedstructure, the arrangement of color filters to every micro-lens wassuggested, and has been applied for a patent under Japanese PatentApplication No. 2001-363117 by the present applicant. However, thetechnology for colorizing is not limited to the above-mentioned formula,and it is necessary and expected to develop another formula.

Therefore, the present image input apparatus has been inventedconsidering the foregoing conditions, and the first object of thisinvention is to provide the image input apparatus which can reconfigurea single reconfigured image from a plurality of low-resolution, objectreduced images focused on the prescribed region on the said lightdetecting elements by the micro-lens array, wherein a high-resolution,single reconfigured image of the subject can be obtained even if thedistance between the subject and the said micro-lens array is long(infinitely long, for example).

Furthermore, the second object is to provide the new formula, which canrealize the colorizing of the reconfigured image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the foregoing first object, this invention providesan image input apparatus comprising a micro-lens array where a pluralityof micro-lenses are arrayed and the light detecting element facing thesaid micro-lens array, wherein a single object image can be obtained byrearranging the image information of a plurality of object reducedimages focused on the prescribed region on the light detecting elementby each of the said micro-lens, and characterized in that the relativeposition between the said micro-lens and the prescribed region on thelight detecting element, on which the object reduced image is focused ascorresponding to the said micro-lens, are arranged so as to differbetween each of the said micro-lenses.

Here, as the relative position noted above, the construction that canshift the relative position by s/N (s: pitch of light detecting element,N: number of micro-lens unit) sequentially along with the verticaldirection and the horizontal direction on the said micro-lens array maybe suggested.

According to the said construction, even if the distance betweenmicro-lens and the subject is infinitely long, the object reduced imagesfocused on the light detecting element can be differed at everymicro-lenses, furthermore, the resolution of the reconfigured imageobtained by the rearrangement of image information of the object reducedimages can be increased.

At the same time, if the distance between the said micro-lens and thesubject is b, in other words, the magnification for the subject is (m){m=b/a (a: the distance between micro-lens and light detecting element,b: the distance between micro-lens and the subject)}, the said relativeposition can be shifted by (s/N−D/m) {s: pitch of light detectingelement, N: number of micro-lens unit, D: pitch of micro-lens, m:magnification for the subject achieved by the micro-lens) sequentiallyalong with the vertical direction and the horizontal direction on thesaid micro-lens array.

According to the foregoing system, since the said relative position isadjusted corresponding to the distance to the subject (i.e.magnification), it is capable of focusing the different object reducedimage on the light detecting element consistently, irrespective of thedistance to the subject, and moreover, the resolution of the singlereconfigured image obtained by the rearrangement of image information ofthe object reduced images can be increased. More details willhereinafter be described.

Also, when obtaining a single object image by rearranging a plurality ofpixel information of the object reduced images formed on the lightdetecting element by respective micro-lenses, it is preferred that therearranging position of the object image, on which pixel information ofthe object reduced images are supposed to be rearranged, is decided onthe basis of the said relative position.

Accordingly, the resolution of the said object image can be improvedusing the difference of the said object reduced images arising from thedifference between the said relative positions by fixing the rearrangedposition of pixel information of the said reduced-images.

At the same time, if the distance between the said micro-lens and thesubject is (b), in other words, the magnification for the subject is (m){m=b/a (a: the distance between micro-lens and light detecting element,b: the distance between micro-lens and the subject)}, the saidrearranging position may be fixed to shift by (s/N+D/m) {(s): pitch oflight detecting element, (N): number of micro-lens units, (D): pitch ofmicro-lens, m: magnification of micro-lens for the subject. Besides,m=b/a (a: the distance between the micro-lens and the light detectingelement, b: the distance between the micro-lens and the subject)}sequentially along with the vertical direction and the horizontaldirection on the said micro-lens array.

In the foregoing construction, as will hereinafter described, it iscapable of making the decreasing degree of resolution to the minor evenwhen the distance to the subject changes, and its convenience as animage input apparatus can be improved.

In order to achieve the said second object, this invention comprises alight detecting element containing a plurality of light detecting cells,wherein the said light detecting cell is divided into multiple regions,and at the same time, a color filter is arranged on each of the saiddivided regions.

Accordingly, it is capable of obtaining the object image in colors fromthe object reduced images focused on the said light detecting element,thereby realizing the image input apparatus which can obtain morehigh-quality images. As such construction can be realized from the basisof conventional systems, it is also excellent from the view that therising of manufacturing cost is controlled to the minimum.

BRIEF DESCRITPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the imageinput apparatus (A) according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plane view showing the arrangement of micro-lenses array inthe image input apparatus (A) according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a plane view showing the arrangement of light detectingelement in the image input apparatus (A) according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a frame format of a patternexample of positional relationship between the micro-lens array and thelight detecting element in the image input apparatus (A) according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a figure showing a frame format of a pattern example of therearranged (reconstructed) object image.

FIG. 6 is a figure showing a frame format of another pattern example ofthe rearranged (reconstructed) object image.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a frame format of anotherpattern example of positional relationship between the micro-lens arrayand the light detecting element in the image input apparatus (A)according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a figure showing a frame format of another pattern example ofthe rearranged (reconstructed) object image.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a frame format of anotherexample of positional relationship between the micro-lens array and thelight detecting element in the image input apparatus (A) according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a figure showing a frame format of another pattern example ofthe rearranged (reconstructed) object image.

FIG. 11 is a figure showing a frame format of another pattern example ofthe rearranged (reconstructed) object image.

FIG. 12 is a figure showing an example of color filters arranged on thelight detecting element.

FIG. 13 is a figure showing another example of color filters arranged onthe light detecting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that variouschanges and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in theart without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

The image input apparatus according to the embodiments of the presentinvention is embodied as indicated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image input apparatus (A) is comprised of amicro-lens array (1) arraying a plurality of micro-lenses (1 a) in agrid-like pattern, a light detecting element (3) forming planimetricallya plurality of light detecting cells (3 a), and a grid-shaped partitionwall (2) arranged between micro-lens array (1) and light detectingelement (3). Here, as indicated by the rectangular column of dotted linein the FIG. 1, micro-lens (1 a) forms a signal-processing unit (U),which correspondingly comprises one grid of partition wall (2), as wellas a plurality of light detecting cells (3 a) included in therectangular column (prescribed region).

Accordingly, image input apparatus (A) with compound-eye is similar tothe conventional image input apparatus in the basic concept of obtaininga single, high-resolution reconfigured image by focusing the objectreduced images of the subject in respective unit (U), then reconfiguringthe object reduced images.

One example of the specification of image input apparatus (A) isdescribed hereinafter. However, please note that the embodiment of thesubject invention should not be limited to the following specification.Micro-lens array (1) Number of lenses 10 × 10 Lens pitch 499 micron ×499 micron Focal length 1.0 mm Partition Wall (2) Partition wall pitch499 micron Height of the Partition wall 1.0 mm Thickness of thePartition wall 39 micron Size of the opening of the Partition wall 460micron × 460 micron Light detecting element (3) Number of pixels 500 ×500 Size of pixels 10 × 10 micron

With reference to the accompanying drawings FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, as thefeatures of image input apparatus (A), the structure wherein therelative position between micro-lens (1 a) and light detecting cells (3a) responding to micro-lenses (1 a), is arrayed in the way the saidrelative position differs for each of micro-lens (1 a), as well as theprocessing for reconfiguring the reconfigured image from imageinformation of the object reduced images focused on light detectingcells (3 a), will be explained below.

Here, FIG. 2 is a plane view of micro-lens array (1), and indicates thearrangement example of the whole unit, which comprises (N) number ofmicro-lenses (1 a) in both horizontal and vertical directions.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of light detecting element (3), and indicates thearrangement example where each unit comprises (n) number of lightdetecting cells (3 a) in both horizontal and vertical directions.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of image input apparatus (A) indicatingthe frame format of the positional relationship between micro-lens (1 a)and light detecting cells (3 a), and one example of when the number ofunits (N)=4 (J=1 to 4) and the number of light detecting cells (n)=6(j=1 to 6) is indicated. Also, in order to simplify the figure, the FIG.4 only indicates the vertical direction (indicated in the figure by thearrow “y”), but the same positional relationship exists in thehorizontal direction.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the subject embodiment is characterized byarranging the relative position between light detecting cells (3 a) andmicro-lens (1 a) differently in each unit (i.e. micro-lens (1 a)). Inparticular, when the number of units is (N) and the pitch of lightdetecting cells (3 a) is (s), the relative position shift by s/N perunit sequentially in a vertical direction as well as a horizontaldirection of micro-lenses (1 a) arrangement.

Therefore, it is capable of making the object reduced images focused onlight detecting element (3 a) different in each unit even when the imageof the subject at infinity is taken, furthermore, the resolution of thereconfigured image obtained by the rearrangement of pixel information ofthe object reduced images can be increased.

As in the above described structure indicated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, oneexample of the procedure for reconfiguring single reconfigured imagecorresponding to (N)×(n) pixels for both the horizontal and the verticaldirection, from (N) number of object reduced images, which are differenteach other and focused on light detecting cells (3 a), is describedhereinafter as referring to the FIG. 5.

The procedure of reconfiguration explained below is one example of theapplicable procedure in reconfiguring the object image, and the severalprocedures other than the procedure below are applicable to the subjectinvention.

(Procedure of Rearrangement)

Here, coordinates of the reconfigured image are presumed to be (x, y),and one coordinate (hereunder, the vertical direction “y”) is explainedin order to simplify the explanation.

When the pixel information of y-coordinate in the reconfigured image ispresumed to be “reconfigured image y”, the followings are rearranged inthe “reconfigured image y”.

reconfigured image 1: the first signal of pixel in unit 1

reconfigured image 2: the first signal of pixel in unit 2

:

:

reconfigured image N: the first signal of pixel in unit N

reconfigured image N+1: the second signal of pixel in unit 1

reconfigured image N+2: the second signal of pixel in unit 2

:

:

reconfigured image 2N: the second signal of pixel in unit N

reconfigured image 2N+1: the third signal of pixel in unit 1

:

:

reconfigured image 3N: the third signal of pixel in unit N

reconfigured image 3N+1: the fourth signal of pixel in unit 1

:

:

reconfigured image (n−1)×(N)+1: the (n)th signal of pixel in unit 1

:

:

reconfigured image (n)×(N): the (n)th signal of pixel in unit N

In accordance with the above-mentioned reconfiguring procedure, FIG. 5shows an example of reconfigured image rearranged image information(i.e., light detecting cell j=1 to j=6) of the object reduced images ofthe subject at infinity focused in each units (J=1 to 4) indicated inFIG. 4. The figure shows the case when the size of the reconfiguredimage is (n)×(s). Also, the number (1) to (24) shown respectively in thelight detecting cells are coordinate y of the reconfigured image.

Accordingly, when the subject is at infinity, all micro-lenses (1 a)obtain the same image information, however, slightly different objectreduced images are focused on light detecting cells (3 a) because lightdetecting cells (3 a) are arranged in relative position shifted by s/N,in accordance with the subject embodiment.

Consequently, when reconfiguring a reconfigured image from objectreduced images, it is understandable that a high-resolution reconfiguredimage can be obtained from a plurality of object reduced images byrearranging light detecting cells (3 a) shifted by s/N sequentially inthe order of j=1 in J=1 unit, j=1 in J=2 unit . . . as considering thedifference of relative position (i.e., as has been described in thereconfiguring procedure).

Next, as referring to FIG. 6, the procedure for reconfiguring areconfigured image from object reduced images when the subject is not atinfinity, and the distance between micro-lens (1 a) and the subject is(b) (hereinafter referred to as “imaging distance (b)”), that is, themagnification for the subject is (m) (=b/a) {a: distance betweenmicro-lens (1 a) and light detecting cells (3 a)} is described.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a frame format of one example of the reconfiguredimage, when the magnification of the subject for the image is (m)(=b/a), simultaneously where the size of the reconfigured image is(n)×(s).

In this case, light detecting cells (3 a) are rearranged having shiftingof D/m in addition to the case in FIG. 5, compared with the case whenthe subject is at infinity (indicated in FIG. 5). However, (D) is apitch of each unit (D/m<s/N).

The important point here is that pixel information shifted significantlyfrom pitch (s) is outputted by additional D/m shifting of the lightdetecting cells (3 a) (i.e. pixel information). Concretely, it is thepixel information obtained by J=4 unit in FIG. 6. Such pixel information(misaligned more than (s)) becomes redundant, and therefore dose notcontribute to the improvement of resolution.

It is preferred in this case to form the reconfigured image as deletingthe redundant image information.

Concretely, in case of FIG. 6, the rearrangement can be performed in theorder of j=1(1) in J=1 unit, j=1(2) in J=2 unit, j=1(3) in J=3 unit,J=2(5) in J=1 unit, j=2(6) in J=2 unit . . . , though j=1(4) and j=2(8). . . , in J=4 unit are not used.

In this case, although the resolution becomes lower by the unused lightdetecting cells (3 a) (light detecting cell (3 a) in J=4 unit) comparedwith the resolution in case of focusing the subject at infinite(indicated in FIG. 5, when all pixel information of light detectingcells (3 a) are used to reconfigure), the decreasing rate is minor.

Here, as an example of the concrete embodiment, it is explained that thedecreasing degree of resolution is minor considering the image inputapparatus specified as below.

(One Example of Specification)

Unit pitch (D)=499 micron

Light detecting cell pitch (s)=10 micron

Micro-lens focal distance (f)=1 mm

Number of unit (N)=10

Number of the light detecting cells per 1 unit=46

According to the above specified image input apparatus, it is calculatedthat magnification m=b/a=b/f−1=999 if the distance toward the image (b)is 1 m. The calculated (m) and the above specifications lead to thatD/m=499 micron/999≈0.5 micron, and s/N=1 micron, and thereforeD/m+s/N=1.5 micron.

Here, 10÷1.5=6.66 since the pixel pitch (s) is 10 microns, and the databecomes redundant by rearranging light detecting cells (3 a), which arein the 3 units out of 10 units, in the position shifted more than pixelpitch (s).

In turn, light detecting cells (3 a) in the other 7 units can effect onthe resolution of the reconfigured image. Hence, the resolutiondecreases only about 30 percent when focusing on the subject in shortdistance.

According to the embodiment, the resolution can be considerablyincreased for the subject having the distance toward the image (b) longas infinite (as indicated in FIG. 5), and moreover, the degradation ofresolution can be minor for the subject in close distance (as indicatedin FIG. 6). This invention therefore is more applicable and convenient,compared with conventional systems capable of obtaining merely thereconfigured image in a certain appropriate distance (especially, inflyby distance other than infinite long distance), since being able toprovide the image input apparatus which can be used, irrespective of thedistance toward the image (b).

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be describedreferring to FIG. 7.

In the above-described embodiment, changing (adjusting) the rearrangedposition where pixel information of light detecting cells (3 a) isrearranged according to the imaging distance (b), as well as changingthe positional relationship between micro-lens (1 a) and the lightdetecting cell (3 a), have been described.

Here, the following described embodiment is characterized by that, asshown in FIG. 7, the relative position between micro-lens (1 a) andlight detecting cells (3 a) in each unit is adjustable according to thedistance toward the image (b), and adjustment responding to the distancetoward the image (b) is not necessary when rearranging light detectingcells (3 a).

Concretely, when the pitch of the unit is (D), the number of the unit is(N), and the pitch of the light detecting cell is (s), the relativeposition between light detecting cells (3 a) (j=1 to 6) and micro-lens(1 a) shifts by (s/N−D/m) per unit (J=1 to 4) sequentially along withvertical and horizontal directions in the arrangement of micro-lens (1a).

As well as the foregoing, when the distance between the subject andmicro-lens (1 a) is (b,) the distance between micro-lens (1 a) and lightdetecting cells (3 a) is (a), and the focal distance of the micro-lens(1 a) is (f), the magnification (m) for the subject image can be alsodescribed as (m=b/a=b/f−1).

Here, FIG. 8 is a frame format indicating an example of the reconfiguredimage rearranging the pixel information (in other words, light detectingcells (j=1 to 6)) of the object reduced images of the subject atinfinite taken per unit (U) (J=1 to 4) as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 alsoindicates a case when the size of the reconfigured image is (n)×(s).

Taking into consideration that each unit (U) has parallax of (D), thatthe parallax is reduced to (D/m) in light detecting cell, and that lightdetecting cells (3 a) in each unit (U) are arranged sequentially andrespectively shifted by (s/N−D/m), it is capable of obtaining a highresolution image by aligning the pixel information sequentially in orderj=1 in J=1 unit, j=1 in J=2 unit, . . .

According to the present embodiment, even if the distance toward theimage (b) is changed, it is possible to obtain highly fine images onlyby arranging light detecting cells (3 a) in the prescribed order,similar to the case when taking image of the subject at infinite long asshown in FIG. 5, and thereby simplifying the process.

Additionally, as the above explanation and FIG. 8 indicate, thisinvention is superior over the above embodiment in the feature ofconstantly obtaining image with highly fine resolution, irrespective ofthe distance toward the image (b), since the redundant information wouldnot occur even if the distance toward the image (b) is not infinite.

Also, since this embodiment has the structure of changing the relativeposition of micro-lens (1 a) and light detecting cells (3 a) accordingto the value (distance) of imaging distance b, s/N=D/m may be applicabledepending on the distance toward the image (b). FIG. 9 indicates thepositional relationship between micro-lens (1 a) and light detectingcells (3 a) in each unit (U) when s/N=D/m is applicable. As the figureshows, the relative position between micro-lens (1 a) and lightdetecting element (3) is constant, the same structure of conventionalone will be obtained.

In accordance with the above structure, FIG. 10 indicates a frame formatwherein the rearrangement of light detecting cells (3 a), when the sizeof the reconfigured image obtained by rearranging light detecting cells(3 a) is (m)×(n)×(s) (=(n)×(N)×(D)), is appeared, while FIG. 11indicates another frame format wherein the rearrangement of lightdetecting cells (3 a), when the size of the reconfigured image is(n)×(s), is appeared.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, even if the relative position betweenmicro-lens (1 a) and light detecting cell (3 a) becomes s/N=D/m (becomesthe same in all units), a highly fine object image can be reconfiguredaccording to the subject embodiment.

Finally, as referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the embodiment wherein imageinput apparatus (A) achieves to take a color image will be explainedbelow.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are plain views of light detecting element (3)indicating the arrangement of light detecting cells (3 a) per unit, andshow the cases when arraying (n) number of light detecting cells (3 a)both in the horizontal and the vertical directions.

Here, in order to achieve color images, it is characterized in thepresent embodiment that light detecting cells (3 a) are divided intoseveral regions (4 regions in the present embodiment), while the colorfilters are arranged in each of the divided regions.

Here, FIG. 12 indicates the case when primary color filters comprisingGreen(G), Red(R), and Blue(B) are applied. Color information, includingthe primary colors: green, red, and blue, can be obtained by, likeforegoing embodiments, having micro-lens (1 a) arranged to havedifferent relative position with light detecting element (3) which hasthe above-mentioned dividing structure, and by providing prescribedsignal processing to the object reduced images obtained per color.

In addition, regarding the array of the color filters, green that hashighest human visibility is applied to a plurality of regions. Thus,signal-to-noise ratio of green signal is improved, thereby achievingimprovement of the image quality.

On the other hand, FIG. 13 indicates the case when complementary colorfilters: Cyan(Cy), Yellow(Ye), Magenta(Mg), and Green(G) as four-colorfilter, are applied.

This case also achieves obtaining the color information of green and redand blue by providing prescribed signal processing, same as the primarycolor filters.

The relationship between Cyan(Cy), Yellow(Ye), Magenta(Mg), and Green(G)is;(Cy)=(B)+(G)(Ye)=(G)+(R)(Mg)=(R)+(B)

Each colors: (R), (G) and (B) can be decided from the obtained imageinformation of (Cy), (Ye) and (Mg) by calculation, and moreover, (G) canbe calculated from light detecting cells (3 a) comprising filter (G).

Firstly, the object image is reconfigured in regard to Cyan(Cy),Yellow(Ye), Magenta(Mg) and Green(G), from which the three primarycolors, i.e. green, red and blue, is obtained by calculation.

Thus, the present embodiment finally enables colorizing of the finalreconfigured image, and further, prevents increase of production costfor its simple structure of merely arranging the predetermined colorfilters to light detecting cells (3 a).

As described above, the present invention can obtain the object reducedimages differing in each unit even if the distance between the imageinput apparatus (A) and the subject is long (infinitely long, forexample), and thereby achieving a high resolution, reconfigured imagethat is reconfigured based on those object reduced images.

Moreover, the colorization of the reconfigured image can be realizedwith the simple structure of providing the predetermined color filtersto the light detecting cells formed within the light detecting elementin the image input apparatus.

1. An image input apparatus comprising: a micro-lens array having aplurality of micro-lenses; and a light detecting element facing saidmicro-lens array; wherein a single object image of an subject isobtained by rearranging image information of a plurality of objectreduced images focused on a prescribed region on said light detectingelement by said micro-lens array, and a relative position between saidmicro-lens and said prescribed region on said light detecting element,on which said object reduced images are focused as responding to eachone of said micro-lenses, is arrayed differently for each of saidmicro-lens.
 2. An image input apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid relative position shifts sequentially at specified quantity invertical and horizontal directions in an array of said micro-lenses. 3.An image input apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said specifiedquantity is s/N. :(s) is a pitch of said light detecting element, and(N) is a number of said micro-lens units.
 4. An image input apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said relative position is formedadjustable according to a first rule based on a distance between saidmicro-lens and said subject.
 5. An image input apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein said first rule is that said relative position shiftssequentially by (s/N−D/m) in vertical and horizontal directions in saidmicro-lens array. :(s) indicates a pitch of said light detectingelement, (N) indicates a number of units of said micro-lens, (D)indicates a pitch of said micro-lens, and (m) indicates a magnificationof said micro-lens for said subject. Also, (m) indicates a ratio (b/a=m)of distance (b) between said micro-lens and said subject to a distance abetween said micro-lens and said light detecting element.
 6. An imageinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in process of obtaining asingle object image by rearranging said image information of a pluralityof object reduced images focused on said prescribed region on said lightdetecting element per said micro-lens, rearranged positions on saidobject image, to where said image information of said object reducedimages are rearranged, are determined on the basis of said relativeposition.
 7. An image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, inprocess of obtaining a single object image by rearranging said imageinformation of a plurality of object reduced images focused on saidprescribed region on said light detecting element per said micro-lens,said rearranged positions on said object image, to where said imageinformation of said object reduced images are rearranged, are determinedaccording to a second rule on the basis of a distance between saidmicro-lens and said subject.
 8. An image input apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said second rule is that said relative position shiftssequentially by (s/N−D/m) in vertical and horizontal directions in saidmicro-lens array. :(s) indicates a pitch of said light detectingelement, (N) indicates a number of units of said micro-lens, (D)indicates a pitch of said micro-lens, and (m) indicates a magnificationof said micro-lens for said subject. Also, (m) indicates a ratio (b/a=m)of distance (b) between said micro-lens and said subject to a distance abetween said micro-lens and said light detecting element.
 9. An imageinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light detectingelement contains a plurality of light detecting cells, and said lightdetecting cells are divided into a plurality of regions to which colorfilters are disposed respectively.